Chapter Thirty

Whitetail Villa, England

A white Byzantine-style mansion perched on the mountainside, its rounded golden dome gleaming even brighter against the pristine background. Much like its master, whose skin was like porcelain and whose golden hair dazzled in the light.

Gym

On the treadmill, Arthur wore an all-white tracksuit, the top a deep V-neck hooded jacket, the bottoms simple, loose white pants. With each stride, his long, slender legs flashed in and out of view.

“Your Highness, Miss Spencer has arrived,” the butler reported respectfully.

The morning sunlight, mischievous as a child’s playful hand, danced across Arthur’s golden locks as his body moved, crystalline beads of sweat tracing down his long neck, sliding over his alluring chest, and finally disappearing into the open collar.

Maria entered and was greeted by the sight of Arthur’s sparkling, sensuous chest. She swallowed involuntarily, her infatuation overflowing in her gaze. Truly, no one could rival Arthur’s beauty and charm.

Amid her obsession flickered a determined resolve: Arthur must be hers, and hers alone. Even if it were her, it could not be allowed—otherwise…

A flash of malice glimmered in her eyes, but as she met Arthur’s gaze, it was instantly replaced by a captivating smile.

“Arthur, things have been quiet lately. Let me accompany you out; you’ve been home for days, you must be bored.” Her face was radiant with a sweet smile, making it hard for anyone to refuse her request.

The treadmill slowed and finally stopped. Arthur stepped off leisurely. Maria, attentive and considerate, approached with a towel, raising her hand to wipe the sweat from his brow.

Arthur reached out, took the towel from Maria’s hand, and began wiping his sweat himself, disregarding the clear disappointment in her eyes.

Maria bit her lip, smiled again, and gazed at Arthur with unwavering hope.

Arthur glanced at her expectant look and spoke in a mild tone, “Don’t harbor any fantasies about me,” then continued to wipe away his sweat.

“What did you say?” Maria’s face broke into a full smile, pretending not to understand.

Arthur sighed inwardly. “I only see you as a sister.”

Maria’s smile cracked, her lips trembling. “Arthur, do you know what a woman hates most when a man rejects her?” She paused, her eyes full of resentment. “‘I only see you as a sister.’ Sister, indeed! How many sisters can you possibly have?”

Maria fumed silently, her hands clenched tightly at her sides.

Arthur cast her a cold glance and spoke softly, “Sister is the limit of what I can offer,” his eyes turned to the window, the sunlight growing stronger, making it hard to keep them open. He looked back at Maria, holding her gaze so she couldn’t evade him, his tone now devoid of earlier warmth. “Actually, I prefer our relationship to be one of collaboration.”

Those four indifferent words pierced Maria’s heart like steel needles, tearing flesh and drawing blood.

Arthur finished speaking and turned away.

Maria screamed and rushed forward, wrapping Arthur tightly from behind, her voice hysterical, “No, I won’t accept it, I won’t!”

Arthur looked down at Maria’s small hands clutching his chest, pale from effort. He raised his own hands and gently pried her fingers loose, leaving without a trace of reluctance.

Maria stared at her now empty hands, Arthur’s departing words echoing in her ears, “Perhaps we’re better suited as strangers.”

Maria felt frozen to the core, tears brimming in her eyes, but stubbornly refusing to fall. Her teeth bit hard into her lower lip, forbidding any sound of weakness. The warm sunlight bathed her thin frame, yet she felt no warmth at all. Her gaze fixed on the direction Arthur had left, her eyes filled with defiance.

I will not give up. All these years, loving you has become my entire life—how could I ever let go?

If—if you’re rejecting me because of that woman, then she will simply disappear. Once she’s gone, you’ll belong to me.

Ha, just thinking about it, imagining Arthur as hers, made her indescribably happy.

Maria thought to herself, and actually laughed aloud.

The butler, hearing her laughter, glanced at Maria and was startled by the twisted expression on her face.

After her epiphany, Maria’s face blossomed with an angelic smile. She asked the butler about Arthur’s whereabouts and ran off cheerfully.

The butler watched Maria’s receding figure and shuddered uncontrollably.